Smiles we remember: Dr. Rolf G. “Buzz” Behrents

Photo courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists

It’s with great sadness Texas A&M College of Dentistry shares the passing of Dr. Rolf G. “Buzz” Behrents, former professor and chairman of orthodontics. He passed away April 24.

Behrents served the dental college from 1998 to 2003, when it was known as Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry and later as Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. He was known for a dedication to clinical excellence, research, and his passion for teaching, said Dr. Larry Tadlock, the head of orthodontics.

Beyond his leadership in the department, Behrents contributed seminal research on craniofacial growth, which remains important in modern orthodontic instruction. Tadlock counted Behrents among his mentors.

“(He) asked me to join the orthodontic graduate faculty as a part-time clinical professor 26 years ago,” Tadlock said. “I was quite nervous and concerned I was not ready. He reassured me, and my journey in academics began. Even after he left our program, he continued to check on me, encouraging me to increase my involvement in academics. His commitment to the profession and to orthodontic education was unmatched except in his commitment to me and my growth. He will be missed.” 

Behrents received the profession’s highest honors, including the Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award from the American Board of Orthodontics, the Jarabak International Teaching and Research Award from the American Association of Orthodontists and is this year’s recipient of the AAO Lifetime Achievement Award; he was scheduled to speak at the conference May 3, but the event is cancelled.

Read AAO’s tribute.

– Additional reporting by the American Association of Orthodontists